Cody Simon is set to face new challenges as he begins his career with the Arizona Cardinals. The inside linebacker, who has never lived in his new city before, will be adapting to professional life in the NFL. However, Simon enters the league with prior experience in helmet communication due to an NCAA rule change that began in April 2024, allowing coordinators to communicate plays directly through players’ helmets.
“It was definitely a transition,” Simon remarked about using helmet communication at Ohio State. “I definitely learned a lot through helmet communication, and it just makes communicating even easier and faster.”
During his time at Ohio State, Simon played a crucial role as a leader on defense, guiding the team to a National Championship victory where he was named defensive MVP. His performance led the Cardinals to select him as their fourth-round pick.
Jonathan Gannon, head coach of the Cardinals and former defensive coordinator familiar with coach-to-player communication systems, acknowledged the benefits of Simon’s experience. “The adjustment period, if you have never done that, is real,” Gannon noted. He compared Simon’s situation to former linebacker Kyzir White’s lack of experience when joining the Cardinals.
Despite this advantage, Simon faces competition within the team for playcalling duties from established players like Mack Wilson Sr., Akeem Davis-Gaither, and Mykal Walker. Wilson’s role often involves hybrid responsibilities under defensive coordinator Nick Rallis.
Simon has been actively engaging with inside linebackers coach Cristian Garcia to expedite his learning process. “My job is to contribute as early as possible,” said Simon. He emphasized understanding both mental and physical aspects of the game and being ready to support his team whenever necessary.
Reflecting on leadership dynamics within a team, especially for rookies stepping into significant roles such as playcalling or leading defenses, Simon stated: “If your younger guys aren’t trying to push to be a leader… I think that’s what the NFL is about.”
Simon’s journey marks an exciting yet demanding phase in his career where he seeks not only personal growth but also aims to enhance team performance by embracing these challenges head-on.
